BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID 🤩

This past week has prompted me to take a closer look at films that have influenced me throughout my life. When I hear about the death of a legendary actor and director, it always makes me pause in my tracks. I can’t help but wonder about my own mortality. How many good years do I have left? Will I be satisfied with what I have achieved? Do I have more regrets than I care to admit? Should I do more? Can I do more? Again… is there time? This is what many of us think about when there are more years behind us than in front. It is a humbling, sometimes frightening fact to accept. 

When I was growing up, I often tried to emulate the character traits of those larger-than-life figures around me. It was all about the performance and being “on.” The stage and movies were my educational foundation. I got my cues from the written and visual word. It was addictive and took me to astounding heights higher than doing drugs. I was like a sponge, soaking up every beat, pause, and crescendo.  It was exhilarating. I didn’t know it then, but I was creating a file from which I could draw whenever necessary. It was mammoth… still is. 

I had my favorites to be sure. In the past, I shared my billboard of men who stood behind me throughout my teaching career. They anchored me with their talent. Losing another one sobered me without ever touching a drop of alcohol. I wanted to find a film this week that honored that memory. I needed to choose a movie that would make my readers see the importance of good friends, laughter, love, finding work you are passionate about, being lucky to have a shoulder or two to lean on in life, and accepting when death is knocking at the door. It was an easy decision. Robert Redford’s recent death led me straight to BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID. 

BCATSK was a phenomenal success in 1969. It cost six million to make and grossed over 100 million in the US alone. It holds the record for winning the most BAFTAs in history. Nine, to be exact, including Best Picture and Director. (George Roy Hill) The Hollywood Academy awarded four Oscars for Cinematography, Writing, Score, and Original Song. RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN’ ON MY HEAD, written by Burt Bacharach and sung by BJ Thomas, was an incredible smash hit. 

The success of this film was threefold. The trick was combining fabulously talented actors,  giving them the script of a lifetime (William Goldman, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, MISERY, ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN), and guiding it all with a strong, visionary director. It happens every day. Right? 

Paul Newman and Robert Redford were a match made in a masterclass only in heaven. Their characterizations of a real, bank-robbing duo were perfection. Their listening and reacting to each other was honest, subtle, and hysterical. They complemented one another’s performance with simple physical and facial expressions that are immortalized. It was a joy to witness. Who can ever forget Newman on that bicycle, totally doing his own stunt work? This is a scene etched in everyone’s heart.  By the same token, it is impossible not to go gaga over Redford’s beautiful face in the opening frames or when he lusted after Katharine Ross as Etta. It was hypnotic. Every woman wants someone to honor their body in the same way. He was intoxicating both on and off screen.

Newman portrayed Butch Cassidy, whose real name was Robert Leroy Parker. He got his nickname from being a butcher at one time. The name stuck. Redford played the Sundance Kid, based on the real-life outlaw Harry Alonzo Longabaugh, who was once arrested in Sundance, Wyoming. Redford later would name his famous film festival after Sundance. Both men have said this movie was one of their favorites. 

Ross was stunning. She could hold her own against these two giant movie stars and make audiences believe her innocence and naïveté. This was stellar acting, especially since she did not get along with the director. The ensemble was strong and even included Sam Elliott’s first feature film and an appearance by Cloris Leachman.  

Hill was a tough, disciplined director. He and Newman had many discussions, but Hill usually got his way. The New York montage was a piece of art. It was so well conceived and moved the story forward efficiently, yet shared emotional, fun-loving sequences and still pictures. Every frame appeared like it came out of a New York documentary. Many of which were borrowed from the sets of HELLO DOLLY being filmed next door. Hill would have the pleasure of working with both Newman and Redford less than five years later, creating THE STING. 

Usually, watching two men ride and ride on horseback across vast, breathtaking landscapes would not be able to hold the attention of movie-goers, but this was not the case for cinematographer Conrad L. Hall. He had a brilliant style of drawing everyone in, even when climbing mountains or jumping off cliffs. He got our attention. The Bolivia scenes were filmed in Mexico, where everyone on the crew got Montezuma’s revenge, except Newman, Redford, and Ross. They didn’t drink the water. Their choice of beverage was mainly beer. 

BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID is a majestic, dramady, western classic. It’s iconic cinema that showcases the best of filmmaking from the late 1960s. It’s a likable movie experience even though the ending is predictable. It reinforces the importance of grabbing life by the bull horns and living every day with gusto. Robert Redford did. Rest in peace, Bob. You will be missed. 

BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID is available to rent on most Pay Video On Demand platforms.